Handstitched

Its a bit different here in Oz. No ' stable managers' , just private horse owners that attend clubs, and various horse events etc., and some that own horses for leisure/ pleasure / for the love of horses. A lot of my horse rug trade is ' word-of-mouth'' and some local advertising, and attending some of those events to get known. That didn't take long. Its a case of ' know your customer and the area ' . The market may be a lot different in your part of the universe HS

@Catharina Good idea putting this thread here Can't think of anywhere else. Later, I will give a you a full run down of what bits 'n' pieces you need for horse rug repairs, the most commonly used/broken parts etc. , what I've been doing , a few ' before & after' pics etc. , and, what to do about those smelly rugs, sourcing materials and so on . I've lost count the amount of times I end up smelling like a horses butt . I've been doing it for quite a while now. Get back to you soon. HS

By all means, you're welcome to ask . Thats what this forum is here to do. Although, you may try a new thread like Northmount suggested. But I wonder if horse rugs could be considered as a form of 'tack' ? They are an integral part of horse care/ownership ? And, some rugs do have leather components. But thats for another discussion on another thread HS

No, I repair them. I don't have the space to make them, but I have effectively fully re-built rugs in really poor condition. Theres quite a few horse owners around me, to my advantage . The machine (was going to be donated, I paid for it in the end, knowing its value), it was an opportunity I couldn't pass up, as theres no-one else that repairs horse rugs . HS

I do that when I'm lacing m/c tank covers . Looking from above, the lacing forms an imaginary ' \ / ' shape, not / / , if that makes sense. @OldCanuck You done a great job so far. Basket weave of any sort can be quite challenging, but you managed that quite well HS

@Catharina Welcome from Western Australia . I have a Seiko STW-28B, was also a twin needle, but I only use it as a single needle machine. I use it for horse rugs, webbing, canvas, wallets, kangaroo hide leather goods. Your machine should be quite a strong machine . ( I also have a Pfaff 60) Have a look on the ' Sewing Machines ' thread, heaps of good info on there. HS

G'Day Selvune , Welcome to the world of leather Heaps of good peeps on here from beginners to experienced that are happy to help. HS

Me Don't laugh . What do you think I'm using typing this ? HS

When it comes to tax time ( June 30 in Oz) , I just do an estimate of what I have . Theres no bloody way I'll be doing a stocktake every tax time. Theres full hides, half hides, scraps, you name it. And the endless assortment of hardware, templates, books and God knows what else ??? Imagine counting all that?? F**k that !!! The only thing I count is my H/D machine for depreciation . Basically, ' > this is what I've earnt, > this what I've spent ' > this is what my stock & materials are worth . My estimates have been quite good The last time someone tried to show me how to use 'excel' , I felt like throwing the computer screen across the room. HS

@Bert03241 beat me to it. Here in Oz , businesses have an ' ABN' ,'Australian Business Number' , and you can buy wholesale . But all depends how far you want to take this ? Theres heaps of info on this site regarding making money from your craft, keeping costs down etc.. HS

I quite like that I'd like to get myself a post bed, and one other, but I already have 4 machines and theres no space left. HS

This morning at our first market of the year, a customer, and his wife, came back to my stall with a belt they bought from me before Christmas. It was too small. Guess where they got the measurement? From an old belt .He thought he was a 35" ....he was in fact a 42" . So, he placed a order for one of the correct size, and I got HIM to put the tape measure around his waist, NOT over the belt he was wearing or phones, thick clothing etc. And it has to be comfortable, and it's not some kind of "abdominal restraint" ( a girdle) , and I politely instructed him not to use the measurement on his old belts and jean sizes. All good How many times has this topic come up? Over time, I too have become quite good a judging waist sizes just by looking at them HS

@Outfitr If time permits, and the client isn't in any hurry, I'd be making a whole new belt the correct size, and sell the shorter one to recoup your costs, and learn from the experience. I've done that rather than put a knife through all my hard work. Theres a lot of work in that , I just couldn't bring myself to cut it. I'd be very reluctant cut that lovely belt . HS

Sometimes the calipers, sometimes the groover, depends on the job. But for belts for eg. , the groover . HS

He was on point . And heres me thinking that working with leather was calming , therapeutic, teaches patience, fellowship etc. etc. " WTF am I doing so wrongggg ?????????? f*&king stoopid thing !!!!!" We've all been there a'hem HS

@AzShooter Yup, I...we , feel your frustration . Today I was lacing a m/c tank cover for a client. Nothing went right . The more frustrated I got, the worse the problem got. If it wasn't for a client, it would have been thrown across the workshop. So, I'll go back to it later. HS

As mentioned before , its not for everyone after reading all the info, but I'll stick to my own ( perhaps old fashioned way) way of doing things .Never intended to ' mass produce'. A bit off topic, sorry about that, , but the only Godsend for me is EFTPOS . ' Square ' . They have a multitude of tools that can be utilised to boost business. Never wanted it before as I was a ' cash only' operator ( bit of a technophobe) , but a friend got me into it, and now I rely on it. It was around 20 - 30% of my sales when I first started, but lately, its been 70-90% WOW !! I can thank covid for that, thats one positive I guess, (pardon the pun) . HS

Thanks for the info Nice wallets, but no way could I make 400 . I could make 4 at best in a week, in amongst all the other orders & stock I make. HS

Forgive the silly question, but what is ' Kickstarter' ? Sounds like a business support initiative, funding etc. ? HS

King Stingray-Get Me Out Stuck in my head now Aussie band, sung in native tongue and English. Check them out on ' YourInnerTube ' HS

That would make a nice restoration project. Love the foot pedal, " Made in Australia" HS

@garypl Don't be too disheartened . Still looks great. We've all had that sinking moment when we get to the end of a project only for something to go wrong . The expletives come thick 'n' fast. I once tried making an 'alteration' to a prize winning hand bag, but I completely screwed it right up , that ended up on the scrap heap. I too have have box under the bench where all the 'mistooks' end up. Some I re-visit, some just end up in the bin. @chuck123wapati I watched my good ol' Mum sew, knit etc as a kid, still does, taught me how to cook too . She made & repaired all our clothes on a Pfaff 60 , that I now have for light leathers. We owe a lot to our Mums HS

@RockyAussie Thats very handy to know. I've always wondered about that. I was so worried that if I backed off too much, it would fly off so fast and make a hole in my workshop roof. I got the pressure just right now anyway. My machine came from ' Qstitch' in QLD. They don't supply the clones anymore . HS

I agree . I think Uwe had one for sale a long time ago ?? HS

While it'll be a mission impossible, knowing who produced the leather in the first place would be a good place to start. It seems that it wasn't sealed properly during the manufacturing process. So dye appears on your hands as well ? That should never happen. HS